Can I take a moment to talk with you—communicator to communicator? I know I speak for many of us when I say this past month has been a crazy, busy time.
It’s clear we, communication professionals, have an important role to play in this historical moment.
So many of us are working long hours to help organizations around the world communicate about the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re helping employees, customers and community members understand critical information about the outbreak and what they can do to safeguard their health. We’re the ones helping companies manage media, manage reputations and manage business under extraordinary circumstances.
A Communicator’s Commitment
We’re communicating stay-at-home orders, work-from-home plans and social distancing measures. In addition, with the health crisis creating an economic crisis, we’re now communicating furloughs, layoffs and closing businesses, too.
And we’re doing all of this impactful, difficult work while juggling other important responsibilities. Some of us are working in less-than-ideal, makeshift home offices; helping neighbors or older relatives get groceries safely and trying to figure out how to facilitate distance learning for children who are no longer attending school in person.
For all of this, I want to say: Thank you.
As COVID-19 has spread around the world, you have remained committed to doing your part and delivering on some of the world’s most pressing communications needs. You play an incredibly important role in your families, your companies and your communities right now. I hope you’re proud of the work you’re doing, and the work of all your Minnesota communication colleagues.
This is a challenging time for all of us — and we need each other for support.
IABC Minnesota’s Commitment
You know what’s helped me? Conference calls with people like you. We can candidly share our common experiences, fears, questions and successes.
Our board members at the International Association of Business Communicators Minnesota chapter want to provide that same service for YOU.
I always say IABC exists to advance this profession and the people in it. We typically do this by hosting networking and professional development events, but these unprecedented times call for a more personal approach. In the coming weeks, we commit to reaching out to every one of our members.
This won’t be a request for dues or sponsorships, and we’ll try not to talk too much about our upcoming events. We just want to know how you’re doing, and if there’s anything your local IABC chapter can do for you.
I’d be remised if I didn’t remind you that we have a number of COVID-19 communications resources for you online, and we have the best communication professionals’ conference in the region, Convergence Summit, coming up in August. Several virtual events are being scheduled for the next couple months, too. But for now, we’ll starting by reaching out to you.
Know that we at IABC Minnesota appreciate what you do, and we’re here for you.
On behalf of our board of directors, I want to add that our thoughts are with all those who have been directly impacted by COVID-19, and we extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the health care workers, delivery drivers, grocery store employees and all who—like you—continue working diligently to help during this unprecedented, global challenge.
We are in this together and look forward to connecting with you soon.
My best regards,
Camie
Camie Melton Hanily
IABC Minnesota President
